Flashback from Chapter 3

Taking a deep breath, Hermione spun the time turner as instructed, with one hand tightly clutching her luggage. Within seconds she felt the effects, as her stomach felt like it was being pulled out of her body and her head got dizzy. What felt like decades later, her feet slammed against the ground, forcing her backwards and her luggage went flying.

Chapter 4

As Hermione picked herself off up the floor and gathered her luggage, she met the twinkling eyes of the Albus Dumbledore of 1950.

"Hello my dear, I don't believe we have ever met. However, I must commend you on your fabulous entrance. Ms…?" he spoke amusedly.

Chuckling to herself, and sighing in relief that somethings never change, Hermione responded, "Gr – Georgas, Professor. Hermione Georgas. I have a letter here for you, um… from you in the future, explaining my circumstances."

Organized as always, Hermione reached into her uniform pocket, extracted the letter, and placed it into his outreaching hand.

Glancing into the letter, Albus sighed resignedly, and the twinkle in his eyes that had been there previously disappeared.

"Very well, Ms. Georgas, I believe I understand your situation quite well. However, I must say, although your stay with us is not for the brightest circumstances, I hope you will take advantage of your very unique situation and experience it to the fullest. However, you will have to meet with Headmaster Dippet before I can assist you in settling in." Professor Dumbledore firmly stated.

Hermione merely nodded her consent.

Instantly, the door opened and Headmaster Dippet walked in, a confused expression on his face.

"Hello Albus, and who is this we have here?" he inquired.

"Headmaster, this is Ms. Georgas, she is a transfer student from a small private school in Italy and is currently in her Seventh year. She is wondering if she could attend Hogwarts," Albus stated, as he handed over Hermione's transcripts.

"My, my, this is impressive Ms. Georgas. In fact, I believe this out strips our current choice for Head Girl. I would love to welcome you to our school, and offer you the position of Head Girl. Albus I'm sure can take care of the fine details of schedules and getting you settled in, I am quite busy," Headmaster Dippet said.

"Thank you, Sir," Hermione said proudly, as Professor Dumbledore nodded his assent to the Headmasters directions and headed toward his office.

Upon reaching it, he muttered, Alohamora before entering and gesturing for her to sit down. "Lemon drop?" he inquired. Hermione merely shook her head no before inquiring, "Professor, I was wondering if you could tell me the date?"

"You must forgive an old man, and his poor memory. It is August 31st, one day before your classmates arrive" he stated. "Now, I believe you need to buy some necessities in order for you to be comfortable in your stay, as it will be quite a long one. Therefore, I shall appoint a teacher to guide you in Hogsmead to purchase your clothes and bathroom trinkets, while I shall place an order for your books, which means I need to know which subjects you will be taking," he continued.

"That would be much appreciated, Sir. The classes I was taking were Advanced Potions, Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts and Arithmacy," she answered.

Professor Dumbledore nodded while he quickly wrote down the subjects mentioned.

"Good, good. Now how about Professor McGonnagal takes you to Hogsmead? She is currently teaching Arithmacy, and I believe it would be nice for you to have a teacher which is vaguely familiar. And, might I say Ms. Georgas that I am delighted that you will be in my class this year" he smiled.

Hermione's smile grew as she fondly remembered her favourite teacher, "That would be wonderful!"

With that said, Professor Dumbledore led Hermione through several corridors until they reached a portrait which Hermione had never seen before of a Norwegian ridgeback dragon.

"Password?" It rasped.

Professor Dumbledore lifted his eyebrow inquiringly, silently encouraging Hermione to choose one.

Pausing for a moment, Hermione responded, "Amore vincit omnia" (love conquers all) as she fondly recalled the smiling faces of her friends and family, lifting her eyes upwards to avoid any tears from leaking out.

With another twinkle in his eye, Professor Dumbledore led her through the portrait hole as it swung open, but not before muttering, "Well chosen Ms. Georgas", pointing out to Hermione where her bedroom would be.

"As you can see Ms. Georgas, you will be sharing a common room and bathroom with Mr. Riddle. Your room is to the right, his is to the left."

"Looks almost identical to how it does in my time, except Gryffindor and Ravenclaw house colours instead of Slytherin…. Wheres my house colours Professor?" Hermione asked confused.

"Ah, don't miss a thing do you Ms. Georgas? You will be sorted tomorrow at the evening feast. For now, enjoy the peace and quiet while it still lasts. However, before you can do that, you have some shopping to do. Why don't you unpack while I go fetch Professor McGonnagall?" Without waiting for an answer, Professor Dumbledore turned around and glided out of sight.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Hermione went about unpacking her things.

Most of that day was spent going throughout Hogsmead with Professor McGonnagall, buying clothes and bathroom necessities as instructed. In addition, Hermione purchased some books from the bookstore and some of Hogsmead's finest chocolate from Honeydukes.

Returning to her room, tired yet content, she laid back on her bed, exhausted emotionally and physically. Overall, her first day in the past had been some like she expected, it was tomorrow that had her worried.

Which house would be the best strategically to befriend Tom Riddle from – and yes, she had chosen to first try to befriend him, and if that failed by March, she would kill him. She realized that killing him, if not done carefully, was as good as forfeiting the last part of her life she had to give, however she struggled to push that out of her thoughts as she focused back on which house.

She couldn't be placed in Slytherin, not only because she was muggleborn, but because inner house politics demanded certain aspects from a person in terms of their demeanor. Furthermore, Slytherin and Grffyindor were renowned for their rivalry, and she was sure it wasn't only from her time. Hufflepuff would be a fairly neutral house, however she was sure that Tom would look down on her as an inferior if she was in that house. That only left Ravenclaw – the house known for having the smartest witches and wizards. Finally coming to a conclusion, she crossed her fingers that the sorting hat would see it that way as well – she had no naïve reason to believe that the hat would not know her true intentions.

Pushing down the desire to cry, as the reality of her situation sunk in, she tiredly rolled over, still dressed in her uniform with a new shiny Head Girl badge on her chest, she fell asleep.

The next morning Hermione woke up fairly late, but just in time to catch lunch in the Dinning hall. Rubbing her eyes, the events of the last 24 hours came back to her, moaning, she brushed out her robe and walked out of her room through the corridor until she traced the familiar path she had taken for years. Pushing through the Great Hall's doors, she walked toward the solitary table that was set up in the middle of the room, and was greeted by the smile of the Professors of Hogwarts.

"Good morning Ms. Georgas, I believe you had a nice time with Professor McGonnagall yesterday? May I introduce you to Professor Peters, he is currently teaching Potions, I believe he will also be your teacher this year," at this point a tall, thin and slightly balding form of Professor Peters turned to look at her, giving her a sneer Professor Snape would be proud of, before turning away, blonde hair shimmering in the light. Albus then continued saying, "this is Professor Clarke, she teaches Defence Against The Dark Arts, another course I believe you are taking..."

Hermione smiled and nodded at each introduction, as she began to eat the grilled cheese and potatoes on her plate.

Overall, lunch was a lively affair, as Hermione inquisitively asked questions and discussed matters with the friendly Professor Clarke sitting beside her. She found out that her Professor was a recently retired auror, having worked over 20 years in the field and a few in the office. Hermione was beginning to feel a bond with her familiar yet unfamiliar environment, and began optimistically thinking that this wouldn't be so bad.

The hours flew by, and before she knew it, Hermione ended her wandering around campus and headed toward the Great Hall, as she saw the first of the carriages arriving. She remembered fondly the days when she couldn't see the thestrals pulling them, it had all changed after her fifth year, she recalled sadly.

By the time she had returned from her rooms, fully dressed, the students were already almost fully seated and the first years lined up with Professor Dumbledore instead of the usual Professor McGonnagall speaking the introductory words into the wonderful world of Hogwarts.

"Ah, Ms. Georgas, just in the nick of time. You shall come in at the end of the line, after the first years have been sorted we will call your name," he said gently.

Nodding her head, Hermione headed toward the end of the line, ignoring the curious stares of the younger children ahead of her. Internally she was a mess, realizing for the first time that she was about to come face to face with the younger version of the Dark Lord – the man who had killed so many innocent people without the blink of an eye. Shaking her head to rid her of those thoughts, she counted to ten, breathing deeply, as her feet numbly carried her forward with the rest of the first years.

Calmly composing her exterior face, straightening her back, and her hair, Hermione waited until finally the last name of the first years was called,

Wattle, Jeany

Pause.

Hufflepuff

At the sounds of clapping, Hermione looked up into the twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore as he spoke the words introducing her to the school,

"Settle down students, we have one more to sort this year. Standing before me is Hermione Georgas, she is an exchange student from a small private school in Italy, and will be joining us for her final year. Furthermore, she is this years current Head Girl, please join me in welcoming her to our school." Clapping ensued. "Ms. Georgas, please step up, you will be sorted now," he said.

Walking slowly toward the stool which she fondly remembered, she sat down, but not before she skimmed the hall and met the strong dark-eyed gaze of what she recognized to be the 18 year old version of Tom Riddle. Holding in a gasp, and attempting to remain calm, all thoughts of him were erased as the hat was placed on her head.

Ah, Ms. Granger, - yes I am not fooled. So it has come to this, eh? I always knew deep down that it might. Now which house is the question… but I see you have already come to a conclusion, a wise one at that…

Hermione sat nervously before she heard it yell,

RAVENCLAW

Sighing in relief, she sat down at the Ravenclaw table amidst loud clapping, next to a shy looking first year whose name she later learned was Melinda Cater, and a seventh year boy named Ross Cooper, unaware of the piercing stare of Tom Riddle.

Once the meal had finished, Hermione stood up, waving farewell to her two new friends, and walked back to her room, as she watched the other prefects lead the other students to their dorms. As she was about to say the password to her rooms, she heard an echoing pair of footsteps behind her.

Ignoring his presence, she stated the password,

"Amore vincit omnia," and entered through the hole.

"How quaint," Tom Riddle sneered, "Love conquers all? Let me guess, your one of those filthy mudblood lovers."

Hermione saw red. She was furious, although later she admitted she should have expected that type of comment from him of all people. However, at the moment, what with being physically and emotionally drained, to be finally adjusting only to have a comment that derogatory spoken to her, she snapped.

Turning around swiftly, she practically lunged as she swung her right arm across his face. As soon as she did it, she realized she had made a mistake, her eyes widened even more as she saw Tom's reaction, as he clasped his already reddening cheek, eyes widening and then narrowing in anger. Obviously no one had ever dared to do that to him before. Deciding the best option was to appear indifferent, she spun back around deciding to walk back to her room, too furious to deal with this just yet.

Unfortunately, it appeared Tom Riddle was not going to let her do that. Grasping her arms, and placing his bodily firmly against hers as he pushed her against the wall, he practically hissed in fury, "No one touches me. No one. Especially filthy mudblood lovers like your self. Or maybe…" he sneered, "you are a mudblood, is that it Georgas?"

"So what if I am?" She replied defiantly, not reflecting her inner feelings of terror. "Don't touch me either Riddle. I will not tolerate being manhandled, or name called. Aren't we supposed to be past that grade 2 phase? Release me. Now," she sneered almost as well as him.

If Tom Riddle had looked closer he would have seen a powerful red glow coming from her necklace which was somewhat securely tucked under her robe, however, clearly oblivious, caught by shock that she dare speak to him that way, he let go, stepping back.

Brushing out her robes, she then spoke firmly, "I see we have got off on the wrong foot. Even you must realize that this can't last for the whole year. Let's call a truce."

There was a long pregnant pause as he considered his options.

"Nice try Georgas. Let's add some gravelling next time, shall we? Oh and by the way, I'm changing the password to "ascendo tuum" (Up yours) he smirked, as he glided into his room.

"Very funny, Riddle!" Hermione yelled as she stomped into her room.